DHAKA, Nov 3, 2020 (BSS) – Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque today said mask use will be made mandatory to face second wave of COVID-19 as following health rules are still considered as the best preventative tool to check infection of the deadly virus.
“Mask use will be made mandatory until any effective and safe vaccine is developed for COVID-19,” he told a meeting titled “Doings for handling second wave of coronavirus” at his ministry here, an official release said.
Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus, President of Swadhinata Chikitshak Parishad Dr M Iqbal Arslan, President of National Technical Advisory Committee Dr Md Shahidullah, Secretaries of different ministries and health experts, among others, were present at the meeting.
Many countries in Europe are facing the second wave of coronavirus, Maleque said adding, these countries are imposing lockdown to contain transmission of the deadly virus.
Bangladesh is well-equipped to face the possible second wave of COVID-19 that may hit the country during winter season, he added.
The minister said Bangladesh has achieved adequate capacity through taking all necessary initiatives to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak.
Maleque said since the first detection of coronavirus patients in month of March this year, the government has taken various effective measures including recruitment of doctors, nurses and medical technologists to fight the deadly virus.
When almost the entire world is struggling to control coronavirus situation, Bangladesh has been able to contain the outbreak of coronavirus, he added.
Maleque said Bangladesh is keeping close contact with those companies, which are at final stage of COVID-19 vaccine development.
“Many countries are working frantically for COVID-19 vaccine development campaign… But nine companies are at final stage in the race of vaccine development. We are keeping constant communication with five companies to get effective vaccines at the quickest possible time,” he added.
The government has taken all necessary preparations including financial capabilities to collect effective and safe vaccine soon after COVID-19 vaccine development by any company in the world.